Ask anyone in York County’s historical community about Joe Kindig III, and they speak in respectful tones about his vast knowledge of antiquing and history surrounding his artifacts.

A story in “Antiques and the Arts Weekly,” tells how the Kindig family got its start in the antique world:

A maternal aunt took Joe Kindig Jr. (1898-1971) to yard sales. As a teenager, Kindig Jr. was selling old guns, pistols, swords by mail. He opened a shop at 304 W. Market St. in York and moved to the 325 W. Market St. location, the business’ present address, in the depths of the Depression.
Kindig Jr. had the fortune to operate in the Depression with liquid funds and low overhead. He harvested Southern antiques, helped by proximity to Baltimore, and developed a reputation as a foremost expert in that area.
While competitors shed stock in the early 1930s, Kindig Jr. accumulated inventory. He waited, sometimes for years, for the right price.
And he often got it.
Kindig III joined his father in business after he served in World War II and worked with him for two decades.
Today, Joe Kindig III continues to build his family’s national reputation in the antique world.
Peter Tillou is a friend of Kindig III.
“One of the nicest things about Joe is that if he respects you and sees your passion, he is generous with his knowledge,” he said. “One of my great joys over the years has been his willingness to spend time.”

About Jim McClure

Editor of the York Daily Record/Sunday News, ydr.com and its many digital products. East Region Editor, Digital First Media. Journalism/history blogger: yorktownsquare.com. Author or co-author of seven York County, Pa., history books.

3 Responses to Of York antiquarian Joe Kindig III: ‘He is generous with his knowledge’

Dear Mr. Kindig, My father and I paid you visit in 1977 and you showed us a number of Welshans rifles. We were specially interested in the Conrad Welshans rifle and you allowed me to photograph that gun in your back yard.Johann Conrad was my grandfather’s, grandfather’s grandfather. I was wondering if you still have that rifle? Conrad came upriver after the Revolution and his family (William and his mother, Eva Schleppi) came to Nippenose Valley in 1837. Thank you. Wayne O. Welshans

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Welcome to York Town Square, 9 years of daily posts about journalism and history, topics that can easily become plodding and self important. My goal is to keep this blog fun and accessible. And I try to say something in each post. I welcome your comments and respond to every one you write. Please contact me at jem@ydr.com.